Disclaimer: I own nothing
A/N: Okay so it's been awhile, sorry. It's a short chapter, I know, but I wanted to get it out to you peoples so you could read. Your probably wondering "When are we actually getting to the action?" well that should come in two chapters so hold your horses.
Read and Review Please.
Demons and Relase
Cyrus walked briskly down a dark corridor. Like all the other areas, this too was seemingly carved from rock and the rough surface cast shadows from the little light that was shining. Cyrus's head was swarming with the information he had just gotten out of the witch sisters. It wasn't nearly enough to narrow down the long list of suspects they he had formed, but is crossed off a few. He would need more information. That was why he keeps them in a holding cell, though he felt rather badly for it. The witches were confused and frightened much like a child who had been separated from its mother. But what could he expect from them, from anyone who had been whisked away unexpectedly from their homes and thrown into a cell with no idea what was going on. They hid their fear well though, and did their best to remain strong with all that had happened in only a few short hours. It would be good for them; they would need that courage in the future. Especially with what he was about to do.
As he neared the end, he slapped a hand on a metal plate next to a door and it slid open soundlessly and entered into the council chambers. Situated around a round, wood top table were ten chairs, the tenth being on top on a raised platform so that the First Druid could watch over the proceedings. Cyrus was First Druid, the leader of all Druids that dwelled in these series of connecting, underground caverns, and all Druids for that matter. He was appointed into the leading position fifteen years ago, not only because of his power, but also because of his wisdom and leadership abilities and his want of a smooth running union. He was called upon to do all kinds of duties from disciplining a troublesome novice and sign documents for approval to what he was doing now; finding the whereabouts of the amulet and recovering it. The latter probably being the most important deed he has done in all his years.
He looked around the large room and saw that one of the chairs were already occupied. The figure was slouched down behind the high back of the chair and leg was draped over an arm of the seat. He knew who it was instantly.
"I see you got my message," he said coolly as he climbed the steps to the platform and sat down in the chair. The figure sat up straight in the chair, removing their leg from the arm. They leaned forward, placing their elbows onto the table and with an idly finger, began to trace an unseen symbol on the wood top.
"How could I miss it," Arianna said not looking at Cyrus's face, "You projected it into my head." She still didn't meet his eyes. "So, did you have your little talk with the witches?"
Cyrus watched her as she traced the familiar figure of the Larn, a diamond figure with a slash running from the upper right side right through to the lower left. The Larn was the symbol of the Druid. It was taught to every Druid since a young age and reminded them each time that they saw it how all life is connected. It was sometimes drawn in comfort during a hard time, or sometimes in mere boredom. Though is was an easy symbol to draw, its meaning is powerful. It could be used to craft spells and could be very powerful if invoked correctly, or very dangerous. Each side of the diamond represents a part of what makes up the world. The two lines that make up the top of the diamond signify water and air, the bottom two lines represent earth and fire; the elements that make up the world. Magic is symbolized by the diagonal connecting the lines of air and earth. It reminds Druids how magic connects all things of life, from the air in the heavens to the earth under our feet.
Cyrus leaned back in his chair and placed the tips of his fingers together. "Yes, I did."
Arianna stopped her finger and finally raised her head to meet Cyrus's gaze. "Well since you're finished, shall I dispose of them?"
"Arianna," Cyrus began in a calm voice. Sometimes he felt like he could never get through to her. "I have all ready told you they are not to be touched. They have committed no crime and are no threat against us." Hearing no answer from her he took it that she heard and understood him so he continued, "To say the least, they have provided us with information that may help narrow our search." Now that Cyrus was on the subject of the amulet and the demon that stole it Arianna turned to stare intently up at the high chair, giving her full attention.
"Who stole it?" she asked eagerly.
Cyrus took a deep breath. "It is not actually the matter of who stole it; it is more the matter of who stole it for whom."
Arianna gave him a blank stare. "You lost me."
Cyrus closed his eyes. "The amulet was stolen from the witches by a Pyriddein demon."
Arianna looked at him in silence for a length before finally speaking, "Are you sure it was a Pyridden? They are more of annoyance than an actually threat. And I'm not sure they even have the intelligent, let alone the power to take the amulet."
Cyrus fixed her with a piercing gaze. "But as you know, Pyriddens are used by other, more powerful demons, to do their dirty work. So perhaps it was sent by another to do the deed."
"But why a Pryidden?" Arianna leaned forward in her chair and placed her elbows on the table. "Why not an Obleak demon or Goblin. They have more sense then a Pryidden and are certainly more trustworthy. Especially in a task as important as recovering the amulet." She paused for a moment, thinking. "And the point that it was a Pryidden that stole it doesn't narrow our search. The list of demons we suspect are more powerful demons; any one of them could have hired the services of a Pyridden."
"Perhaps not," said Cyrus. "But it is the only lead we have at the time." He rose from his seat and made his way down the platform stairs and towards the exit. Cyrus was planning to go back to the holding cell to question the sister witches some more, but this time he planned to bring Arianna. Though he knew that mixing her sometimes unstable temper with her dislike of witches might not be very pleasant, he would need her there for an unveiled reason. Cyrus sent an unseen signal to Arianna to follow him. She rose silently from her seat and fell into step behind him. He would need the witches as well.
Cyrus and Arianna left the council room and made their way down to the holding cell where the witches were. The holding cell was designed to detain people, especially the ones who possessed magic. When they were being built a powerful spell was laid into the walls that neutralized all magic inside the chamber. This was so no magical being could escape by materializing out or demolishing the cell. It also allowed the Druids to go in and question the occupants without fear of being harmed. Of course once inside even the Druid's magic was withheld from them. With no magic allowed, the holding cell was nigh impossible to escape from, which was why it was so useful.
He approached the door and placed a hand on the metal plate which opened the door. The witches were huddled together and all their heads snapped up when they saw the door open. Cyrus noticed how one of the sisters, Piper, whispered urgently to the others. Although he could not hear the words, he could tell that it was of some resent argument. The sisters turned their eyes fearfully to Cyrus. Sensing the girls fear, he held up his hand with his palms facing outward to show they had nothing to fear.
"We do not come to harm you," he said in a calm voice. Beside him Arianna gave a huff of incredulity, "You don't," she muttered. Cyrus shot her a glare.
"If you're gonna kill us, just get it over with," Phoebe said to him. Arianna gave a malevolence smile and took a step forward.
"It would be my pleasure," she said smugly. Before she could make another move, Cyrus caught her by the sleeve of her robe and turned her sharply to face him. .
"Do not ruin this with your haughtiness, Arianna," he whispered piercingly to her. "I need your cooperation in this. Now obey my orders and remain silent until I have need for you." Arianna didn't respond and shook his arm angrily from her robe. Cyrus sighed as he watched her dark countenance and piercing eyes. When she was in one of her 'I-will-do-as-I-please' moods, sometimes even he had trouble restraining her and had to use his rightful authority as First Druid to bring her back under control. He turned back to the sisters.
"As I was saying," he began again, "We do not come to harm you. We only wish for your help." He paused letting the girls consider their options. He knew they were in a weighty situation and would most likely not side with his argument. He would just have to convince them otherwise.
"Last time you needed our help," Piper said, "we ended up stuck here." She eyed the stone compartment darkly then turned her glower towards Cyrus. "Why should this time be any different?"
Cyrus met her glare and gave a small smile. Without answering her question, he turned to face Arianna. "Go to the Trackers and see if they have any leads on who has the amulet." Arianna gave him a curt nod before leaving the room. As he watched her go he knew the Trackers would not have any new information on the amulet, but he needed to be alone with the girls without any interruptions from Arianna. After her footsteps faded away and he was sure she was gone he turned back to the girls. "Follow me," he told them. They exchanged questionable looks then finally seemed to agree on an action and followed Cyrus from the room.